What Is 2018 Kids' Choice Awards

Overview

The 2018 Kids' Choice Awards marked the 31st annual installment of Nickelodeon's iconic celebration of pop culture, honoring the year's most beloved figures in film, television, music, and sports. The event took place on March 24, 2018, at The Forum in Inglewood, California, drawing a live audience of thousands and millions more watching worldwide.

Hosted by music and social media personality DJ Khaled, the show featured celebrity appearances, musical performances, and the signature green slime stunts kids have come to expect. The 2018 edition stood out for its high-energy performances and interactive digital voting, which allowed fans to influence winners from around the globe.

• Over 250 million slime votes were cast online, setting a new record for global engagement in the show’s history.
• The ceremony was live-broadcast on Nickelodeon in more than 190 countries, reaching an estimated 200 million viewers.
• Millie Bobby Brown won Favorite Female TV Star for her role in Stranger Things, cementing her status as a youth icon.
• Shawn Mendes took home the award for Favorite Male Artist, beating out major pop contenders like Ed Sheeran and Bruno Mars.
• The Favorite Frenemies category returned in 2018, with Stranger Things stars Finn Wolfhard and Gaten Matarazzo winning for their on-screen rivalry.

How It Works

The Kids' Choice Awards operate through a mix of editorial nominations and public voting, with fans selecting winners via Nickelodeon’s website and app. Voting windows typically open weeks before the ceremony, allowing global audiences to participate in real time.

• Nomination Process: A team of Nickelodeon executives and producers selects finalists in each category based on popularity and cultural impact during the eligibility year.
• Voting Window: Online voting opened in early February 2018 and ran until the night of the ceremony, maximizing fan engagement.
• Eligibility Period: Nominees were active between January 1, 2017, and February 28, 2018, covering key releases and events.
• Global Access: Fans in over 190 countries could vote, with localized websites supporting multiple languages and regions.
• Slime Vote: Each vote was symbolically represented as a slime drop, with a real-time counter showing the total reach 250 million.
• Winner Announcement: Winners were revealed live during the broadcast, with trophies awarded on stage in classic orange blimp designs.

Comparison at a Glance

The 2018 ceremony compared to previous years in format, turnout, and digital engagement, highlighting evolving trends in youth entertainment.

The data shows a steady increase in digital engagement, with the 2018 edition achieving the highest vote count in the show’s history. DJ Khaled’s energetic hosting style brought a fresh, social media-savvy tone, resonating with younger audiences. The continued use of The Forum as the venue provided consistency, while the dominance of franchises like Despicable Me and Stranger Things reflected ongoing youth trends.

Why It Matters

The 2018 Kids' Choice Awards was more than just a celebration—it reflected the tastes, values, and digital habits of a generation shaped by streaming, social media, and instant access to content. By giving kids direct voting power, Nickelodeon reinforced its brand as a youth-driven network.

• Empowers young audiences by letting them directly influence award outcomes through accessible online platforms.
• Highlights youth-oriented content, such as Stranger Things and Despicable Me 3, which dominated categories in 2018.
• Boosts visibility for artists and actors who resonate with younger demographics, often leading to increased streaming and sales.
• Drives digital innovation through mobile voting apps and real-time slime counters, setting benchmarks for interactive TV.
• Generates global media buzz, with slime stunts and celebrity appearances widely shared on platforms like YouTube and TikTok.
• Preserves cultural relevance for Nickelodeon amid rising competition from streaming services and digital-native creators.

Ultimately, the 2018 Kids' Choice Awards exemplified how traditional award shows can adapt to modern audience behaviors while maintaining the fun, irreverent spirit that defines the brand.